Bacteria That Causes Gum Disease and Bone Loss Finally Identified
The connection between bacteria and gum disease has been common knowledge throughout the medical community for a long time, but the specific bacterial culprit has remained unidentified until recently. This bacteria, known as NI1060, aggressively attacks gum tissue, resulting in periodontitis. NI1060 also promotes the bone loss that accompanies gum disease by manipulating a protective protein in human cells called NOD1.
Bacteria That Causes Gum Disease Finally Identified
The NOD1 protein is known to be a protective gene in humans which detects harmful organisms inside the body, and triggers immune defenses when there is a threat of infection. The NI1060 bacteria has been found to confuse the NOD1 gene, causing it to signal an attack toward healthy bone and other body tissues. This reaction leads to gum disease, tooth loss, and irreversible bone destruction.
What You Can Do to Reduce Your Risk for Gum Disease
This discovery makes it even more clear that everyone needs to take special precautions to ensure good oral health. It is important to learn to properly brush your teeth at least twice a day, floss regularly, and use a good antiseptic mouthwash to kill the NI1060 bacteria. Everyone should also make a point of cutting out bad habits which contribute to negative oral health conditions such as using tobacco products and excessive alcohol consumption.
Make a point of scheduling regular oral health screenings at Smile Today to catch and treat gum disease or any other negative oral health condition.
Read the full article about this newly discovered bacteria here.
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